On the other hand, she had Elias to make her smile.
Just like Theo used to do for Genevieve…
She’d thought it impossible to hate herself more for dismissing him so unfairly, but nope. There was always more self-loathing at the bottom of that reservoir.
Kelsey nodded with purpose at Genny.
She had no idea what for. If this was sister code…it was something that only Mallory, an ocean away, could translate.
Then her sister dug her fingertips along Christian’s rib cage. The effect wasn’t as stellar through the wool uniform coat, but the surprise of being tickled got to him enough that Genny could yank her papers from his hand.
“If that was your one move, I’m wise to it now. Won’t work again,” Christian warned with a wag of his finger.
“We’ll see,” Kelsey said breezily. “So why is the king the only one who gives out this particular award? I thought everyone in the royal family passed around that chore.”
“It’s a duty, not a chore. Mostly,” Genevieve admitted. Which pretty much summed up all of life at court.
Christian’s long legs kept them both at a near-trot to stay abreast of him. Yet he still nodded at every footman, every maid, every single staff person they passed as they switched from the private to the public wing of the palace. French doors leading out to the garden were interspersed with ten-foot tall mirrors.
She’d definitely worn the wrong shoes today.
“The king traditionally does the Order of the Crown because it’s the most highly regarded honor that can be given.”
“Papa has only bestowed it three times that I can remember. To put that in perspective, Christian handed out thirty-six Order of St. Ambrosius last year alone.”
Kelsey linked her arm through Christian’s. “I’m impressed. What’s the reason this time?”
Genevieve couldn’t begin to guess. It had to be something out of the ordinary. Something crucial to the House of Villani.
“The recipient was the lynchpin in preventing an overthrow of the government and this crown.”
“Goodness. Sounds massively deserving.”
Since when were they about to be overthrown? Genevieve needed details…after fixing things with Theo. Everything else could wait until after that, as far as she was concerned.
“Sounds rather like James Bond,” Kelsey countered.
“You mean the pistol-firing, fist-knocking, super spy?” Christian laughed. “Americans always try to equate everything to a movie. Trust me when I say you couldn’t be further from the truth.”
He dug in his box to produce a velvet box and popped it open to reveal the purple ribbon with an enamel pendant of the crown. Christian handed it to Genevieve. She folded her papers and tucked them under her arm.
“You know the drill. This ceremony is private but no less important.”
“Private because you don’t want anyone to know how close you came to a coup? A mutiny? Whatever?”
“Exactly. I’m just saying don’t half-ass it even though we’ll be the only ones in there.”
“I would never.” Duty first. Always.
They stopped in front of the double doors topped by the elaborate gold crest of their family. After bowing deeply, the two liveried footmen opened the doors to the throne room.
After a desperate wriggle of her toes, Genevieve fell into a slow step behind Christian as they processed down the dark purple carpet stamped along the border with golden pinecones.
Tall windows overlooked the mountains on one side and the ocean out the other. In between the windows were the bright flags of every duchy and province. Four enormous crystal chandeliers ran the length of the room.
Genevieve made sure not to look ahead at the two empty thrones on the dais. Because just above and behind one hung a portrait of Queen Serena. After being in tears or on the verge of them for a week straight, she didn’t need the emotional gut-punch of seeing her dead mother in a crown.
Avoiding the portrait meant that she also didn’t see who awaited them. So when a familiar deep voice said, “Your Highness. Your Highness. Your Highness,” Genevieve almost pulled a Kelsey, wobbling half off her heels.
Why was Theo here?
Why was he in a morning coat? With the colors of his family duchy pinned to his lapel?
Was her ex the pseudo-James Bond?
Christian led them to line up in front of the thrones. “Lord Theo Holst of Krainst, we take this opportunity to thank you for your honorable service to the Crown. Myself, Princess Genevieve, and Princess Kelsey are but a representation of the nine million people in the kingdom. The people who will continue with their lives never knowing the selfless risk you took to protect this country and this monarchy. The House of Villani is in your debt. We offer this token in deepest appreciation for your actions and hereby commend you as an officer of the Royal Order of the Crown.”
With shaking hands, Genevieve removed the ribbon. Thank goodness Kelsey made a grab for the box. Genevieve was so rattled she would’ve let it fall to the carpet.
Christian shook Theo’s hand. Kelsey stepped forward and did the same, with a two-handed grip and a beaming smile of delight.
Her turn. Genevieve leaned in. Told herself to ignore the magnetic pull of his body and to only touch his frock coat. In two seconds, it was pinned.
In another two seconds, Theo might leave.
“One more thing.” In a less regal but still stern voice, Christian ordered, “You two fix this. Now. You’ve got the utmost privacy and all the time you need. I’m posting a guard with instructions not to let you out until it’s settled.”
Elias appeared from behind the thrones. “Your wish, as always, is my command, Your Highness.” He followed Christian and Kelsey to the door hidden by a tapestry, gave Theo two thumbs up and a lightning grin, and then left them alone.
She wasn’t ready.
Genevieve never made mistakes in public appearances because she relentlessly over prepared for each one. But this time? The most crucial speech she’d ever give? She’d have to wing it?
“Princess.” Theo craned his neck to take in the chandeliers, the gold-stamped intaglio designs along the moldings. “I never expected to see the inside of this room again. Or you, for that matter.”
“Congratulations, Lord Theo. It appears that you performed a vital service to this family. I hope it doesn’t grate on you too much.” Nerves had her reverting to their original form: contentious and stiff.
In other words, disastrous.
He jerked a shoulder. “I deserved that. Just as you deserved a positive report on your audit. So now we’ve both done as expected.”
Relief shimmered through her. “Really? You’ve delivered it? I’m in the clear?”
“Essentially. But I jumped ahead. I have some things I’d like to say to you.” Theo crossed his arms over his broad chest and pinned her with that disapproving glare that was oh-so-familiar. “Last time I tried, you wouldn’t listen. Any chance Prince Christian’s command will compel you to stand there and let me get it all out?”
Ah. She deserved that dig, too. “Theo, I’m so sorry. I was horrible to you.”
“Oh. Well. I, ah, had a whole thing planned, but sure, you can keep going.”
He was…was he…teasing her? Making light of not only their fight, but their breakup, and now her attempt to reconcile? How dare he?
And in the blink of an eye, Genevieve caught herself. Caught herself falling into the rut of old behaviors.
How dare she not appreciate his attitude? Treating her like, well, a normal girlfriend and decidedly not at all like a princess.
This was what she wanted. What she craved.
What she’d so very much missed.
“I jumped to a conclusion when I saw the photo of you and that woman. Which was only natural. But I took a side, took a sta
nd, based on old, bad habits. I assumed that you had broken my trust, because that’s what people in my circle do.”
He took her hand. Enveloped it in both of his. The touch was more warming than a towel straight off the drying rack. “It wasn’t me. I know Christian told you the photo didn’t mean anything, but I want you to know I wasn’t behind the sale of it or the photos of us on the boat. It was Ambra.”
“I know.”
Staring at the carpet, he continued. “Look, I know she has a long history with you. You have zero reason to believe my word against your friend’s.”
Was he on auto-pilot? Genevieve squeezed his hands, hard. “But I do.”
“Not only are you worth fighting for—Ambra is a parasite on the royal family. She must be stopped. Even if it means losing the woman I love.”
Shocked, she jerked in his grasp. “You still love me?”
And shock dragged Theo’s eyes up to meet hers. “You know about Ambra?” They’d talked over each other and then both broke into nervous laughs.
“I did my own investigation. Ambra has been…dealt with. Officially,” Genevieve said with a satisfying bob of her head. “She’s out of jail after making bail, but house arrest is still torture for her.”
“That’s a relief. Not that she let you down. That she can’t ever do it again.”
It was an enormous relief. Too big to even go into. So she merely said, “Yes.”
Then Theo tilted his head to the side. “Of course I love you.”
Ohthankgoodness The thought rushed through her mind before her next heartbeat. But they were still far from the fix which Christian had commanded. “Not ‘of course.’ You admitted to hating me a mere two months ago.”
“Technically. Even though I spent years hating the Princess Genevieve, I quickly discovered that my beloved Genny isn’t really that person.”
“I can be. I often am,” she warned. Because it did them no good for him to stop hating an idealized person, only to think he loved a similar idealized version of her?
Theo stroked the backs of his knuckles down her cheek. “You are a princess to your core. Just not the spoiled, awful princess that I built up in my head. Pushing back so hard against everything to do with the royals didn’t free me—it just built a different sort of prison around me.”
Talk about a familiar theme. “That, ah, resonates with me. I’ve been living in my own prison. One where self-control locked me into believing it provided safety. That nothing bad could happen as long as I was good.”
One corner of that kissable mouth of his quirked up. “How’d that work out for you?”
“You know full well. My life has spiraled out of control since the day you entered it. And I’ve never been happier,” she admitted.
“Excluding the past week, I hope.”
“Indeed. I decided to embrace ‘seeking happiness.’” Genny made air quotes with her fingers. It didn’t exactly roll off her tongue yet. Every semi-selfish choice she made still produced mad layers of guilt. But she’d slough those off soon enough.
“What’s your first step?”
Genevieve handed him the sheaf of papers she’d tucked under her arm. “Although it sounds like I’m too late to amend your report, I came up with a new budget.”
He cupped his hands over his heart. “Princess. You’re giving me numbers in a spreadsheet? There’s nothing that could rock my world more. I may have to throw you down on the floor and have my way with you.”
“Not until you read it,” she squealed in alarm. No sidetracking sex until the air was fully clear. “Look at page three. There’s now an additional line item—date nights with my boyfriend.”
Theo whipped through the papers so quickly they ripped out of the staple. “Anyone specific?”
She bit her top lip, trying to contain her smile. “I’ve been trained by the best that a budget is most effective when steeped in specificity. You’ll note that I’ve written in your name. If you approve.”
His neck cracked, it snapped up so fast. “I do.”
“I want us to keep pushing the envelope together. If you can forgive me for such horrible taste in friends…and for not believing in you in the first place. I’ll never judge you against others’ behavior again.” Genny took a deep breath before saying the words she’d never spoken to anyone outside of her family. “I trust you, Theo. And…I love you.”
He tossed the papers aside. “That’s pretty great news. It’ll make this next part easier to swallow. I’m willing, mind you—just, ah, like you said, digging out of a rut.”
To her utter shock, Theo dropped down to one knee then bowed to her, arm across his chest, in a centuries-old symbol of fealty. Of acceptance that she, and her family, were his lieges.
“Princess Genevieve, I’ve sent my report, detailing how charitable and responsible the royal family is, to the entire Parliament. I’m saving that explanation for later. I’ve thrown my support wholeheartedly behind the House of Villani, and you, Genevieve, if you’ll have me.”
The gesture, the depth of feeling behind it, rocked her to her core. A little shaky, she bent over to tap his Order. “Looks as if my brother jumped the gun on that. Clearly the House of Villani is behind you.”
“I’ve seen how indispensable the royals are to this country. And I’ve also seen how indispensable you are to me.”
“Oh, Theo—” She couldn’t bear to not be touching him a moment longer. So Genevieve eased herself onto his bent knee, anchoring a hand on his back.
He pinched her knee. “You promised you’d let me get it all out. You’ve made me see that it’s time to stop fighting the inevitable. To keep my title, because that is both my duty and privilege. To give up my international work for something local.”
“To build the factory?”
Theo raised one shoulder. “We’ll see. You can’t have your way in everything, Princess. This is a give and take. It’s still the best proposal I’ve come across, but for you, I’ll do another round of looking.”
It seemed too good to be true. Almost scared to voice the words, Genevieve asked softly, “From Manhattan?”
“No. My father’s been too hands-off. I won’t get in the way of my sister, but I will stay in Moncriano to support my people.” He laid his arm on her thigh, hand on her hip. “Most of all, hopefully, to support you.”
“No.” She watched his eyelids hood, his head dip. So Genevieve placed her palms on the sides of his face to lift it back up. “We’ll support each other. Because we’re both better versions of ourselves when together.”
He smiled at her, a reflection of what she knew was on her own lips. “This may seem obvious—Simon certainly said it was—but I had some time to think on it, and it turns out that loving you is much, much better than hating you.”
Giggling, Genevieve nodded. “Loving you is much, much better than being annoyed and aggravated by you.”
“I offer my duty to the princess, however she’d like it.” He stretched up for a kiss, but Genevieve stopped him by pressing a hand to his chest. They toppled backward onto the thick carpet, right across the golden swirls of the Moncriano crest. Then Genevieve straddled the man she loved so very much before answering.
“Well, I’ve rather gotten used to you ruling me. Maybe you could still be in charge. Not of my budget, of course, but in the bedroom…”
Lips on hers, Theo rolled them, laughing and kissing until they butted up against the platform that held the thrones.
Her grandmother would be shocked.
But Genny thought it fitting of her new attitude toward princess-hood that she show her boyfriend, her man, her love just how deeply she felt at the base of their country’s thrones.
Love first.
…
Turn the page to start reading Tempting the Prince by Christi Barth!
Excerpt from Tempting the Prince by Ch
risti Barth
Chapter One
Mallory Wishner crossed her fingers as she sidestepped a suit of armor and turned the corner. It was the third time today she’d gotten lost in Alcarsa Palace. At least it’d been down three different hallways, so the same footmen weren’t snidely rolling their eyes at her.
Not that they would—openly. All the staff were unfailingly polite to her, as the sister of the princess who’d been missing for twenty-four years. They nodded, curtsied, and bowed to her as if she had an actual royal rank.
She didn’t.
Mallory was 100 percent All-American stock. She’d voted in every election, marched in her tiny Michigan hometown’s Memorial Day parade every year, and rolled her eyes at the rest of the world calling soccer “football.”
But once they’d discovered, six months ago, that her sister Kelsey was actually 1) not in any way related to her and 2) the long-lost princess of Moncriano, everything had changed.
They’d had to leave their fourth-floor Manhattan walk-up after only living in it for three exciting days. They’d flown to Europe on a private jet and been installed in this 715-room palace. Prince Christian, the heir to the throne, had kindly made Mallory a lady-in-waiting so she could be included in almost everything Kelsey did.
And then, at the ceremony on the steps of Parliament officially welcoming Kelsey back as a full member of the royal House of Villani, an assassination attempt gone wrong had put a bullet in Mallory.
After months of recuperation under her parents’ watchful eyes in Michigan, she’d come back to Moncriano. The shooting had meant she couldn’t start her new Manhattan job at a non-profit fundraiser. Couldn’t afford a Manhattan apartment without Kelsey to split the rent with her. All her plans went poof the moment that bullet entered her body.
Including her plans for an eventual family.
But who was she to complain about living in an honest-to-goodness palace? With a job that mostly sounded made-up but consisted of hanging out with her sister?
A palace that she’d officially moved into two weeks ago but still hadn’t learned her way around. A palace full of staff who mostly spoke English. But Mallory constantly worried about what they were saying about her in their own language.
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